It’s Planning Your Garden Time!
Planning your garden is critical. As I write this, I’m looking out the window of my home office at a sunlit blue sky. Most of the snow in my yard has melted. It’s supposed to hit a high temperature of 43 degrees today. Yes, Spring is near. So, it’s time to start planning your garden for the warm months ahead. Here are some Spring garden planning ideas to get you well on the way to a beautiful garden.
Planning Your Garden
The best way to ensure a healthy and beautiful lawn and garden this Spring is to have a plan. I’m sure some of you if not many, have done what I’ve done: I went to my local nursery with no plan in mind, filled my cart with plants and flowers that grabbed my attention, and then haphazardly laid them out in my yard for planting. The result was that some of the plants thrived while others struggled.
So, plan ahead. Decide what vegetables, flowers, or herbs you want to grow. Next, understand the plant’s needs. For example, make sure to place sun-loving plants in areas that receive ample sunlight. Drainage, soil pH, and proximity to trees and shrubs can all make a huge difference in the success of your garden.
Also consider how plants affect each other. For example, I love nasturtiums, their flowers, leaves, and vines. I also like to put them in salads. The bonus is that Nasturtiums attract aphids away from other flowers and vegetables.
When it comes to flowers, it’s essential to consider how different plants will look together and interact. I like to mix herbs with flowers. I have Lavender growing next to peonies, and I put Basil in front of taller plants.
Bring the Tropics to Your Garden
As I look out my window, I’m looking through several potted tropical plants I’ve had for more than five years. Every Spring, I move them outside to my garden in a semi-shaded area. By the way, I’m also looking at two Coleus in hanging baskets that I’ve brought inside for the last three years. They’re part of my basket array on my fence, and it’s cost-saving!
My plan includes plants that attract butterflies, birds, and bees. I have Milkweed that reseeds every year. Milkweed is the only plant on which Monarch butterflies lay their eggs. Bees and butterflies like Echinacea, commonly known as Coneflower, and so do I. Zinnia, Black-eyed Susan’s, and Butterfly Bushes also have a place in my flower garden.
I’m not an expert on vegetable gardening, although I do grow tomatoes and jalapenos. I recommend Purdue.edu’s Vegetable Home Gardeners Guide. Here’s what they share about starting a veggie garden.
“Vegetables grow best in an open, level area where the soil is loose, rich, and well drained. If the quality of the soil is poor, mix in 2-3 inches of topsoil, peat moss, strawy manure, compost, or leaves, plus fertilizer. The more organic matter or topsoil you add, the more you’ll improve your soil. Avoid heavy clays, sandy soils, and shady spots. Most vegetables require a minimum of 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid planting vegetables near trees and shrubs.”
Whether it’s flowers or vegetables, planning your garden can mean the difference between an outstanding garden and an average one.
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If you don’t have the time, patience, or knowledge to plan your garden, we’d be happy to help with your landscaping and flower garden needs. Please don’t hesitate to Contact Us.
About the Author
Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook, a crash course in effective management.
Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash
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